Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT)
Venue: SHI Stadium, Piscataway, New Jersey
Broadcast: FOX (Rutgers’ annual “Blackout Game”)
Weather Forecast
Temperature: ~73°F (23°C) at kickoff
Conditions: Clear skies, light humidity, winds 4–6 mph
Impact: Perfect football weather; no disruptions expected for passing or kicking.
Injury Report
Iowa Hawkeyes (Big Ten West):
QB Mark Gronowski (South Dakota State transfer) is healthy and settling into the system.
RB rotation intact; ground game has been effective against non-conference opponents.
No major defensive absences reported.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Big Ten East):
QB Athan Kaliakmanis (Minnesota transfer) has been efficient, turnover-free through three games.
LT Tyler Needham and RB CJ Campbell flagged as questionable.
Otherwise, skill positions healthy and producing.
Key Player Matchups
QB Mark Gronowski (Iowa) vs. Rutgers Secondary
Gronowski’s efficiency and ability to extend plays will be tested by a Rutgers defense that has been opportunistic early.
RB Committee (Iowa) vs. Rutgers Front Seven
Iowa’s identity remains ground-and-pound; Rutgers has allowed 5.6 yards per carry so far.
QB Athan Kaliakmanis (Rutgers) vs. Iowa Defense
Kaliakmanis has sparked Rutgers’ vertical passing game; Iowa’s defense is elite at limiting explosive plays.
Rutgers WR Corps vs. Iowa Corners
Rutgers’ big-play receivers will try to stretch the field against Iowa’s disciplined secondary.
Recent Team Form
Iowa Hawkeyes (2–1)
9/13/25: W 47–7 vs. UMass
9/6/25: L 20–17 vs. Iowa State
8/30/25: W 38–3 vs. Albany
Trend: Defense dominant in wins; offense still inconsistent against Power Five opponents.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3–0)
9/13/25: W 60–10 vs. Norfolk State
9/6/25: W 31–20 vs. Ohio
8/30/25: W 34–14 vs. Temple
Trend: Offense averaging 46.3 PPG (11th nationally); defense untested against elite competition.
Series History
Iowa leads the all-time series 3–0.
Last three meetings:
2023: Iowa 22, Rutgers 0 (Iowa City)
2022: Iowa 27, Rutgers 10 (Piscataway)
2019: Iowa 30, Rutgers 0 (Iowa City)
Rutgers has never beaten Iowa; outscored 79–10 in last three matchups.
Betting Trends
Iowa:
1–1–1 ATS in 2025.
Unders have historically cashed in Iowa games, but offense has averaged 31.3 PPG this season.
Rutgers:
2–1 ATS in 2025.
Overs hit in 2 of 3 games, fueled by explosive offense.
Head-to-Head:
Iowa 3–0 SU, 3–0 ATS vs. Rutgers since 2019.
Two of three went under the total.
Historical Betting Results
Iowa: Reliable ATS vs. Rutgers; covered in all three prior meetings.
Rutgers: Historically fades after hot starts; began 3–0 in 2022, 2023, and 2024 before fading in Big Ten play.
Big Ten Trends: Iowa games often trend under due to defense-first identity, but Rutgers’ new-look offense could push this total higher.
Game Odds
Iowa Hawkeyes – 2.5
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 45.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Thursday, September 18, 2025
